Theresa May meets opposition leaders to find way forward as Corbyn threatens further votes of no confidence
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Theresa May is set to meet opposition leaders and eurosceptics within her party as she attempts to find a way forward for Brexit after her plan suffered the biggest Commons defeat in history.
The prime minister called on politicians to “put self-interest aside” and work together after squeaking through a vote of no confidence called in the wake of Monday's defeat by a margin of just 19 votes, thanks to support from the DUP.
Last night Ms May held talks with Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford and Plaid Cymru's Liz Saville-Roberts, but Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn refused to meet her until she rules out a no-deal Brexit.
Speaking in Hastings, Mr Corbyn repeated his position and confirmed that he would table repeat votes of no confidence to try to trigger a general election.
Labour will also push for a Commons vote on its own Brexit plan – a customs union, “strong” alignment with the single market and protected workers’ and environmental rights – later this month.
This liveblog has now closed, but scroll above to see how the day's events unfolded
Welcome to The Independent's coverage of the day's political events.
A quick reminder of where we are:
- Theresa May's Brexit withdrawal agreement was voted down on Tuesday, in the biggest defeat in Commons history.
- Jeremy Corbyn tabled a motion of no confidence in the prime minister, which Ms May won last night by a margin of 19 votes.
- The prime minister will now be meeting with politicians from all over the political spectrum as she works on an alternative plan for Brexit.
Caroline Lucas is to meet with the Prime Minister at 9am today to discuss Brexit.
I want to use this opportunity to try to break open this gridlocked process and let different voices be heard. I’ll tell the Prime Minister loud and clear that she must urgently rule out the threat of a no-deal Brexit and I'll make the case for the public to have a say on what happens next.
I want to use this meeting to open up the debate about our shared future to the whole country - not restrict it to the corridors of Westminster - so I’ll also urge her to consider the role a Citizens’ Assembly might play as a complement to a People's Vote."
Labour MPs launch bid to force Jeremy Corbyn to back Final Say referendum.
They believe the party’s official policy now demands the leadership pivot towards a new vote after it failed to secure an election.
Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis said ministers wanted to be "very open-minded" in their talks with MPs on the way forward on Brexit.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 4 Today programme he said the government was determined that the UK should be able to conduct an independent trade policy after leaving the EU.
That means we can't stay in the current EU customs union. That would prevent us having an independent trade policy. That is something that people would feel is not delivering Brexit if we did it.
It comes down to technicalities of what people want to see. Any trade deal has a customs agreement within it."
Mr Lewis also said that the government did not believe that a second referendum was "the right way to go".
"I am disappointed to see Labour again yesterday trying to frustrate and avoid Brexit by hanging open that they would possibly go for a second referendum," he said.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has said Theresa May expressed a willingness to carry on talking when he met her on Wednesday night to discuss the way forward on Brexit.
"I think in the current state of crisis that is a positive," he told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme.
Mr Cable said he told Ms May that his party wanted the prospect of no-deal taken "off the table" and a second referendum.
"The fact that my team are willing to continue talking to her team of senior ministers this morning suggests that at least there is a willingness to explore these things," he said.
No-deal Brexit could be ‘taken off the table’, chancellor Philip Hammond tells business leaders in leaked conference call
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments